Christmas 1 Year C

Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalm 147, Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7, John 1:1-18

This week our lectionary takes a break from the usual pattern of following the Revised Common Lectionary, which is the lectionary shared by most mainline Christian churches. The Episcopal Church takes a break from the regular lectionary because it is important that we hear the beginning of the gospel of John again.  The very same story we heard on Christmas morning.  There is of course the temptation to dust off the sermon I offered on Christmas morning, but I would be doing a disservice to those of you who were here on that wonderful morning.  There are some themes that I touched on before that I would like to expound upon today.

While this text may seem rather simple on the surface it is really much more complex.  It is packed with theological ideas and doctrinal statements that even with two preaching opportunities I cannot cover them all.  But today I will offer you a few ideas about this complicated text.  One aspect is that rather than starting with the earthly birth of Jesus, John starts his story in the very very beginning, before anything in the world was created.  John tells us that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  John speaks in very poetic language, but his message is clear.  

From the very beginning of everything Jesus has been with God and is God.  John tells us this because the focus of most of his gospel is about the divinity of Jesus. 

Advent 4 Year C

Micah 5:2-5a, Canticle 15 (Song of Mary), Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45

I am going to start this sermon a little differently this morning.  We now have one and a half days left until Christmas.  The last month of preparing and waiting is now about to come to a head, with all its joys and excitement.  I don’t know about you, but for me these last fews days that lead up to Christmas can get a little overwhelming.  

So I want to take a moment and invite everyone get comfortable.  Take long deep breaths and slowly let them out.  I invite you to close your eyes and focus on your breathing.  Breath in...let it out slowly.  Let your mind wander from all that concerns you right now.  Breath in...breath out slowly. Let your mind be free of all the last minute things that must be done in these final days before Christmas.  Breath in...breath out slowly.  Continue focusing on your breathing in the silence for a few moments.

**wait for what feels like a long time, then sing**
 

My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,  
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.  
You fixed your sight on your servant's plight, and my weakness you did not spurn, 
So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?

My heart shall sing of the day you bring.  
Let the fires of your justice burn.  
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,  
and the world is about to turn!

Reflection for Family Ministry e-news

This is going to be a busy week! Back in November, it seemed like there would be plenty of time to get everything done that needed to be done. Now, the to-do list just feels longer than the week is. Amid the flurry of activity during this week, make time with your family to BE STILL and know that God is.(Write the word "Peace" on a paper and hang it where it can be read by your family.) If there is too much noise and activity, how can we help each other ready our hearts for the Child we prepare to greet? In this last week of Advent, may you draw closer to one another and to God, and realize God's loving presence right in your own homes!

I know that this past week's events in Connecticut are still weighing on all of us. There is nothing that I can say that can make the hurt and fear go away, but I would like to offer a few resources to you for when you talk with your kids about this event or others like it.  

The first is from Fred Rogers Company in which Mr. Rogers gives advice on how to talk with children about tragic events in the news http://fci.org/new-site/par-tragic-events.html.

The second is from EpiscoYouth and is geared more towards talking to youth about tragedy, but it has good advice for all ages http://wp.me/p26x20-cf.  

As mentioned on Sunday, your clergy are always available to talk with you or your family if you would like; just let us know.

Peace,

Lauren+

Reflection for Family Ministry e-news

Welcome to the New Year!

This Sunday is when the season of Advent begins and we enter a new year in the church. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. It starts on the 4th Sunday away from Christmas Eve.  

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts and our lives for Jesus' second coming. But at times it can be hard to remember that there is a season on Advent, since the world around us is ready for Christmas. There are all sorts of signs that tell us Christmas is near - lights on houses, wrapped packages, Christmas music, and television specials are just a few. Sometimes we concentrate so hard on those things that we miss the message that God sends us in the waiting days of Advent. As we continue to prepare for the birth of Jesus, I hope you will ask yourself, "Where is God leading me and my family this Advent season?"  

Maybe your family is being drawn to do community service together or to volunteer for something at church? Maybe God is leading you to give your family members the gift of your time and attention rather than gifts? Wherever God is leading you and your family this season I pray that you are willing to follow and to truly enjoy the season of Advent before we celebrate Christmas.

Peace,

Lauren+

Thanksgiving Thankfullness

During the month of November lots of people have been posting on Facebook one thing they are thankful for each day. I've been holding out to make my list until Thanksgiving day so that my list could be all together (these are in no particular order).

1. Rob, my fiancee, who is always supportive of me and has made me the happiest woman in the world.

2. Cubby, my cat, who has been with me through thick and thin for 17 years. 

3. God has blessed me with my life and all of the people and things in it.

4. My parents who love me and continue to show me how to be in the world as an adult.

5. My siblings who are the only people who truly understand the crazy of our family.

6. The Schoeck family who is almost as excited to welcome me into the family as I am to become a member of their family.

7. Photographs that provide a window to the past. 

8. Technology - computer, internet, iPad, phone that keeps me connected to the world.

9. Air conditioning that makes living in Arizona possible and enjoyable.

10. The Jackson family who include me as one of their own.

11. Having a comfy warm bed to sleep in every night. 

12. The Constance family who treat me like a sister and an aunt.

13. For my goddaughters, Ava, Paige and Alice, who I am blessed by.

14. Books, that take me to new worlds.

15. Being able to serve as a priest in the Episcopal Church.

16. Omega Phi Alpha - the sorority that gave me a place to find life long friends in college.

17. The Tichenor family, Jonathan Potter, and Matt Seddon who taught me how to live on my own, live in community, and to relax and fun.

18. Movies, that make me laugh.

19. St. Matthew's Church, especially Fr. John Hall, who raised me up in the faith and helped me find my call.

20. Salt and herbs that make food delicious.

21. The abundance of food in my life, especially lazy day breakfasts.

22. For the future.

Proper 28 Year B

1 Samuel 1:4-20, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, Mark 13:1-8

       Everything on this earth is temporary. Buildings, roads, jobs, even our lives are all temporary. No matter how large or how secure we may be in our faith of the material world around us, it is all temporary.  

        Most of us are familiar with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World:  the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Lighthouse in Alexandria, or the Statue of Zeus on Mount Olympus.  These amazing feats of art and architecture were believed to last forever, but even they disappeared.  Only the pyramids are still standing today but they too are slowly eroding due to the harsh desert winds.  No matter how hard we try there is nothing that we can make that will stand the test of time.

        This is partially what Jesus is talking about in today’s gospel. As the disciples and Jesus are walking around the busy grounds that surround the temple, they see large buildings and the disciples are clearly impressed.  Why wouldn’t they be?  If we were to close our eyes and imagine for a moment what the disciples were seeing.  They were coming out of the temple, which by some accounts was ten stories tall and adorned in silver and gold.  Out of the dimly lit interior they step out into the radiant sunlight.

Reflection for Family Ministry e-news

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is already next week. Wow, have that months been flying by! I hope that each of your families have plans to celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Thanksgiving is not only a time to gather and to share a meal but also a time to share what we are thankful for.  

Linda Kavelin Popov, the author of The Family Virtues Guide, suggests that thankfulness is:

• Being grateful for what you have.
• An attitude of gratitude for learning, loving and being.
• Being glad for the special things which come along.
• Being grateful for the little things which happen around you and within you every day.
• An openness and willingness to receive each of God's bounties.

I encourage you to share this definition of thankfulness with your family as you celebrate Thanksgiving. I hope that this definition will help each person who hears it expand the things that they are thankful for in their individual life and in the collective life of the family. If you do not have plans yet, please know that you are welcome to share in the All Saints' Thanksgiving dinner after the 10am Holy Eucharist service on Thanksgiving Day.

Peace,

Lauren+

Proper 25 Year B

Job 42:1-6, 10-17, Psalm 34:1-8 (19-22), Hebrews 7:23-28, Mark 10:46-52

Our gospel today takes place at a turning point in the ministry of Jesus. Up until now Jesus has been traveling around with his disciples, teaching and healing. The disciples have been confused at times, but continue to follow Jesus because they believe he is the Messiah.  Even though they continue in this belief and continue to follow Jesus, they do not understand that their time with Jesus is limited.

In the stories that lead up to today’s gospel reading, Jesus has been telling the disciples about the suffering he is to experience and endure.  However, the disciples continue to deny it.  They deny it so much so that in the gospel reading we heard last week, James and John ask Jesus if they can be honored by him and to sit at his right and at his left.  Jesus rebukes them and says that he came to serve not to be served and those who wish to be honored as he is honored must do the same.  

They must be the servant of all.  

In today’s gospel Jesus continues to redirect the disciples by showing them his path, his path of healing and his path that leads to Jerusalem. Today’s gospel is a turning point in the ministry of Jesus because it is the end of his ministry outside of Jerusalem.

Now that we have some context, let’s take a closer look at today’s gospel…

Reflection for Family Ministry e-news

Halloween can be a scary time of year. Most stores have large displays of creepy looking things or items that make scary noises when you walk past them. By this point in the month some of your neighbors, and maybe even yourself, have decorated your yards in celebration. Although some children find great fun in this time of year (what's not to like about getting loads of candy), it can also be frightening to see ghouls, spider webs, and tombstones around. With the potential fear that comes with Halloween, it is a great time to remind our children that God is always with them so they do not need to be really afraid of the things they see this month or while trick-or-treating. To help illustrate this point talk with your children about how God is the light in the darkness and a reminder of that while trick-or-treating is the lights that we see in the jack-o-lanterns. Another way to illustrate this with your children is to talk about the hidden treasures that God has provided in the seeds inside of a pumpkin. Save the seeds while you carve your pumpkin to make the tasty snack below.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds!

1.Boil pumpkin seeds in water for 7 minutes.

2.Drain them well and lay on paper toweling to

   absorb any remaining water.

3.Spread seeds in bottom of a shallow cake pan.

4.For each cup of seeds, melt 1 tablespoon of

   butter and mix with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire

   sauce. Pour this on seeds and shake pan gently

   to coat seeds evenly.

5.Sprinkle with salt or seasoned salt.

6.Bake at 325° for 30 minutes or until nearly dry.

   Stir them occasionally while baking.

7.Enjoy seeds after they cool!

Peace,

Lauren+

Proper 23 Year B

Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31

Fun gospel we have today…

          Ok so maybe fun isn’t the right word. How about uncomfortable? That seems like a better fit. Today’s gospel is uncomfortable for us to hear because on the surface we hear that wealthy people cannot get into heaven.  Now that is an interesting idea. We also hear that we must give up everything to follow Jesus. For the rich young man, he must give up his wealth.  For the disciples, they must give up their families, their livelihoods and leave everything behind for Jesus. What must we give up in order to live more fully into our relationship with Jesus?

          We live in a society where the more you have, the more you are worth.  Our status is measured by what we have in our bank accounts rather than what do with our resources.   What you have a lot of is not always important.  One might have a few houses or closets full of clothes, many cars or a large personal library, lots of pets or a collection of fine jewelry.  Our want to have more is influenced by what we see in the media and what we see in our friends and colleagues.  

          We are bombarded by ads on the TV, on billboards, on the radio all telling us that we need this fancy new car or the largest TV in the neighborhood.  If we do not have these items then we are cast out to the fringes of society.  This want to be more “normal” or to live like everyone else leads us to serve many masters in our search to have more things.

          This is exactly what Jesus is talking about in today’s Gospel reading.  We are warned about letting wealth, possessions or ourselves get in the way of our relationship with God.  A book I recently read suggests that, “If giving away possessions in almsgiving secures a place with God, the worship of possessions and a clinging to them is ultimate separation from God.”[1] If we place our possessions on a higher level than our relationship with God then we will only grow further and further from God’s love.  That is why when the man in today’s gospel asks Jesus what he must do to get into heaven, Jesus tells him to sell all that he has and give the money to the poor.  Is he suggesting that we must give up all of our wealth?  I do not think so, but that the money that is not needed for living should be given to those in need.  On a broader level Jesus is telling him to let go of what is separating him from God and to embrace the life of discipleship.  So too must we let go what is separating us from God.

Proper 20 Year B

Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37

 

“But they did not understand what Jesus was saying and were afraid to ask him.”

It’s amazing how often the disciples don’t understand what Jesus is talking about. They have been traveling around with Jesus, teaching and healing, eating with unclean people, and being welcomed into strangers homes. And even with all of this time with Jesus and seeing and experiencing all of these things, the disciples still have questions.

In this particular instance we shouldn’t be too surprised that they have questions. Jesus has just told them for a second time that he will soon suffer, die, and then be resurrected. Even though this is the second time that Jesus has told them this, the disciples cannot grasp what he is saying because no one expected that the promised Messiah would redeem Israel through suffer, they thought he would rise to power like King David.

But if they were confused about what Jesus was saying, why didn’t they ask him to clarify? Why were they afraid to ask, as our gospel today says.

Proper 19 Year B

Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 116:1-8, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38

            Who do people say that you are?  Do people say you are a mother or father, a brother or a sister, a great co-worker, a fun time friend, a person to be counted on, or a Christian? Each one of us can be all or many of these things but they are not all as easy to be known by. 

           Others can easily tell if you are a parent when they see you with your children or they can tell you are a person to be counted on because you are there whenever you say you will be, but it’s not always as easy to be a Christian or to be known as a Christian. Although we are no longer persecuted as Christians have been in the past, its still not easy. 

          We live in world today where we are told we must walk on egg shells so as to not offend anyone or to make sure we are being “politically correct” at all times. While I agree that we need to be conscious of our neighbors and to treat others the way we want to be treated, I do not think that that means we need to hide part of ourselves from the world. 

The world needs us to be who we truly are, not just part of who we are, because when we are our true selves, when we live out our baptismal covenant, we are capable of many great things.

Proper 17 Year B

Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Psalm 45:1-2,7-10, James 1:17-27, Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

Hands.

Hands are a way to interact with the world around us. Hands touch things and move them around. Hands extend greetings to one another, offer peace, and accept the body and blood of Christ. Our hands show our history.

Take a few seconds to look at your hands. 

Are they rough from many days of hard work? Are they soft from being well taken care of? Do they have scars that remind you of times that you will never forget? Can you remember the first time they held your child or your best friend’s hand?

Our hands are easily seen by others, and that is where our Gospel starts today. Jesus is questioned because his disciples do not wash their hands before they eat. The Pharisees are concerned about this because their tradition tells them that they must wash their hands before consuming food. They are bothered that Jesus and his disciples do not wash their hands, not because those who eat with unclean hands might get sick from the dirt and germs on their hands, but because they are breaking tradition.

In the Episcopal Church we are big on tradition. 

I can imagine a similar conversation taking place between long time church members when they see someone new doing something out of the ordinary but hopefully we would teach this new person our tradition before harshly questioning them about their practices. Fortunately for us as Episcopalians, our faith is not solely built on tradition. From the time our ancestor, The Church of England, was founded we have built our faith on tradition, reason, and scripture. The great theologian and scholar Richard Hooker wrote a seven volume book entitled The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity in which he explains in great detail how tradition, reason, and scripture work together to help us come together as a church to experience God. Although many of the services and traditions of our church have not changed in hundreds or even thousands of years we do not follow them blindly. We look at our traditions through the lens of reason and scripture to make sure that we continue to practice in the way that God is leading us.

Back to today’s Gospel…

    

As usual Jesus turns the situation 180 degrees. Rather than continuing to talk the Pharisees about hands, he talks to them about the things that really defile a person. Jesus is very clear, “there is nothing outside of a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”

Huh, no dancing around that. 

Jesus tells the Pharisees and us that it is not the traditions we keep or the things we eat or the friends we have or the things we touch that defile us; it is what we say and how we treat other people that defile us.

There are many ways in which we say or do things that hurt others. Each one of us is the beloved of God and so we hurt our relationship with God when we hurt those around us. 

In a few minutes we will confess our sins together. I invite you to think about those who you have hurt through word or action this week and to seek forgiveness in your heart during that time. Then I invite you to experience the rest of the service in a new way, recognizing our history in one another’s hands through the peace and in the sharing of communion.

Loss

This week a very good friend's mother, Susan, passed away and another friend, Angela, is in her final hours of this life. I was not particularly close to either of these women, but I am very much grieving the end of their time on earth for their family members whom I am close with. Susan has two grown children and an infant grandchild. Angela has a 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son. The thought of these children, whether young or old, continuing life without their mother's is truly heartbreaking. I wish there were more that I could do for my friends, but there isn't. What I can do is pray.

The prayer that has been in my heart and mind for these families is Psalm 139 (BCP version):

LORD, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.  

You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways.     

Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O LORD, know it altogether.     

You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me.    

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it.    

Where can I go then from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?     

If I climb up to heaven, you are there;  if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.     

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,     

Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast.     

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,"    

Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.   For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well.     

My body was not hidden from you, while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.     

Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.     

How deep I find your thoughts, O God! How great is the sum of them!     

If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.        

Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! You that thirst for blood, depart from me.     

They speak despitefully against you; your enemies take your Name in vain.     

Do I not hate those, O LORD, who hate you? and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?     

I hate them with a perfect hatred; they have become my own enemies.     

Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts.     

Look well whether there be any wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

 

Waiting for Tatum...

Right now I am in the hospital with my Big, Crystal, as she waits for her second child to arrive. Everything about the hospital room is about efficiency and comfort. Her room has a couch and a recliner for guests, a bathroom which includes a shower, the nurse will bring her as many pillows and blankets that she would like, and the temperature of the room is controlled on the tv. The room also includes a large supply closet with everything that the doctors and nurses might need during labor and delivery, and many monitors that keep us updated on exactly how baby and mom are doing. Even with all of these comforts Crystal is uncomfortable at times, as childbirth is very taxing on the body.

All of this makes me think of how things must have been for Mary when she had Jesus. Nothing about where she gave birth was comfortable or efficient. I suppose that laying I hay was better than nothing, but I wouldn't go so far to say that it was comfortable. And with no way to monitor Mary or her baby, Joseph must have been a nervous wreck. I imagine that they didn't even stop until Mary was practically delivering since there wasn't really a way to assess whether or not she was close. How painful and terrifying it must have been... Wow.

Basically all of this is to say how thankful I am for advances in science that have made childbearing easier and safer. And I'm so thankful for the ordeal that Mary and Joseph went through to safely bring my savior into the world.

Posted with Blogsy

Proper 13 Year B

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a, Psalm 51:1-13, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35

There are many great topics that we could discuss from today’s readings, but for today let us discuss the second reading which is from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. To remind you, Paul is writing to urge the people to live out their calling from God no matter what that calling is because they are the Body of Christ in the world.

Paul’s message from today’s epistle is as true for us as it was for the Ephesians. We are each called to do something with our lives for we are the Body of Christ in the world. We are sometimes called to things we do not understand or feel uncomfortable with.  

When I started college I felt like I was being called to be a teacher. With this in mind I began to pursue a teaching degree and helped at church as a Sunday School teacher. During my sophomore year I started to feel like my call was changing from the education of children to the education of all in the church, but I was not sure if it was something I could really do. Over the next three years I tried to take more of a leadership role in the church to see if I did have the gifts from God that help one to be a priest. 

The more I became involved the more I and others began to see these gifts in me. Upon graduating with my bachelors’ degree I could have been starting my career as an educator but instead I am chose to follow my true calling and continue my education by going to seminary. 

We are called not to be successful, but simply to be faithful. 

Being faithful means following what God pulls you towards.  For me this meant attending more school while my peers and fellow graduates began new careers. For some in this congregation this may be within their professional field. For example, a teacher helping as a Sunday School teacher or an accountant helping with the financial workings of the church. For others it may be something outside their realm of comfort such as working with the youth group when they do not have any children of their own, or leading a group that they have previously just been a member of. 

When we follow what God calls us to, that is when we can make the most difference.

This reminds me of a story that is very close to my heart. 

One day, a man was walking along the shore; he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was a little girl, and that she was not dancing but was reaching down, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. As he came closer he called out "Good morning young lady! May I ask what you’re doing?" The little girl paused, looked up, and replied "I’m throwing these starfish into the ocean." "Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the man. The little girl replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

The man thought about the girl’s foolish sense of optimism and said, "Young lady, there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish covering every mile. You can't possibly make a difference!" Just then, the little girl looked at the man, bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it hit the water, she looked at him in the eyes and said, "I made a difference for that one."

In this story the little girl sees a need in the world and recognizes in herself how to fill that need. 

Even though she will not be able to throw all of the starfish back into the ocean she is determined to try help as many as she can. Today’s reading challenges us to see the gifts we have that can build up the body of Christ and help as many as we can.  Just like the little girl trying to save the starfish helps the greatness of the ocean, so to do our individual gifts help the body of Christ.

Building up the body of Christ does not mean you have to do or be something extraordinary. 

Simple acts like taking a cup of soup to someone who needs it, making a phone call, picking up trash around the church grounds, or listening to the needs of a friend all help the body of Christ to grow and work properly.

Our small individual acts come together with the acts of other Christians to build up the body of Christ. Just as God is active in every nook and cranny of creation so to does God use people to make sure people are fed, clothed, comforted, educated, protected, etc. God’s call to each and every one of us should not be pared down to a job or occupation because this would mean wide stretches of our human experience would be outside of God's providence.  Instead we can and should look at God’s call for us not only as a call to work but also to friendship, family life, and citizenship.

Today’s reading points out that we all have different gifts that help “to equip the saints for their work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”  For many of us, our gift may be to live a compassionate and generous life.  One of the simplest things God asks us to do is to go out into the world and extend God’s love to those around us.  We can influence those around us and often do this without knowing the extent of our influence.  There is a saying that is attributes to Saint Francis of Assisi, “You may be the only Gospel your neighbor will ever read.” In high school a friend chose to invite me to church, and because of his willingness to share God’s love, I am here today. 

So what does all of this mean for you and for All Saints’? It means that you can build up the body of Christ by being involved and by being a friend. By using your gifts to help with a group or by figuring out what your gifts might be by trying something new. All of our programs start back up in September and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to extend your relationships and discover or build up the gifts God has blessed you with.

Proper 11 Year B

2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Psalm 80:20-29, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

“Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”[1]

I wonder how the disciples reacted when Jesus said this to them.  Were they thinking “Ah, finally we get to have some rest” or “Are you kidding Jesus, there is so much work to be done, we can’t rest now” or maybe even “We’d love to rest, but there isn’t a place where we can go to rest.” 

Up until this point in the gospel of Mark, Jesus and his disciples have been doing a lot of traveling and teaching.  The more they travel, the more crowds of people are looking for them.  Jesus, along with his disciples, is becoming so famous because of the healings and miracles that he performs while they travel.  All of this traveling and constant pressure from the large crowds of people is starting to wear on the disciples.  Jesus recognizes this and suggests to them that they rest for a while. 

But as our gospel from today says, the disciples did not get to rest yet, because as soon as they reach the shore there is yet another crowd gathered for their arrival.

Rest will come for the disciples, in a while, but for now they must continue to help Jesus with his ministry.

I wonder how each of us would react if Jesus told us to “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.”[2]  Would we say “Thank you for the invitation, I’d love to rest for a while” or “Sure Jesus, that is a nice idea, but I don’t have time for that right now” or maybe “I’d love to but there is so much work to be done, I can’t rest now.”

In today’s society we are always on the move.  Always going the extra mile at work, always providing opportunities for new experiences for our children, always busy. 

I was struck this past week by a study out of UCLA, reported in the Boston Globe, observing the typical week of thirty-two middle class families in the Los Angeles area. The idea was to take a detailed snapshot of American family life early in the 21st century. The results, according to one researcher, were "disheartening." Those who were studied were so consumed with working, collecting, amassing, and generally "getting ahead," that they actually spent very little time together enjoying what they were working for.[3]

While this study took place in Los Angeles, I bet that researchers would find similar results here in Phoenix.  Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that working hard to provide for your family is a bad thing; I am just saying that, as this study pointed out, we spend more time working for things than we do enjoying those things. 

Think back to the first story of creation found in Genesis.  God creates everything in the world in six days, and on the seventh day, God rests.  God has been setting the example of rest for us since the beginning of time.  Later when Moses relays the 10 Commandments to the people of Israel, keeping the Sabbath holy is part of it.  This would have been music to the ears of the Israelites because they have just left their bondage in Egypt.  And now in today’s gospel we hear Jesus inviting the disciples, and us, to rest.

Rest can come in many different forms.  I am not going to innumerate all of the ways in which one can rest, because only you can know what is restful and renewing to you.  For me, I find rest in napping, talking in small groups of people, walking outdoors, and having quiet time with God.

Most days my quiet time with God is right when I get up.  Some days it is only a brief amount of time, other days I find myself running late for other things because I have had a long amount of quiet time with God. God doesn't require a "clocked" amount of time, God just requires some time. God knows you are busy, yet you still found time for God in your day. That was all that is required.

For some in this community finding quiet time to yourself is not a reality at this point in your life, especially for those with little ones.  To those who feel that this is where they are, I ask you to look for God’s presence through the noisy, rough and tumble parts of your day.  God is in, with and around us all of the time, so God is certainly with you in the chaotic moments as much as God is with you in the quiet moments.

God calls us to live an abundant life. 

An abundant life doesn't consist of merely more and more and more.  "Abundant" ultimately isn't a quantitative term but a qualitative one.  So what can you do to live into this abundant life, which includes abundant rest, that God wants for us.  Perhaps you can take a walk with a friend or spouse, play a game with a child or neighbor, take some time to unplug from all the various screens you interact with daily, have some time to sit, alone or with others to contemplate your blessings and abundance so that you may feel content and grateful for the abundant life you lead.

So this week, and hopefully well into the future, I invite you to…

Rest. Take a break from all the bustle and activity. Rest. Have a chance to renew, to stop, to slow. Rest. Let there be an end of work, if only for a little while. Rest. Take an opportunity to stop doing, that you may simply be. Rest.

In closing I would like to share a prayer[4] with you.  Breaths are incorporated into this prayer as a means to help us slow down and clear away the distractions that keep us from deep communion with God.  Take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and let it out slowly. 

Breathe in… Breathe out…

Jesus
Lord of the Sabbath
Prince of Peace
You invite me to come away with you and rest a while

Breathe in… Breathe out…

My world is so fast
So noisy
So needy
So full
Help me rest

Breathe in… Breathe out…

Reveal the fears that drive me
Free me from false pressures and priorities
Renew a right spirit within me

Breathe in… Breathe out…

Cover me with your healing wings
Surround me with your refuge and grace
Fill me with your peace and hope and home
Till my being finds complete rest in you

Breathe in… Breathe out…
 
Find rest in God’s presence…

Amen.

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[1] Mark 6:31

[2] Mark 6:31

[3] http://www.workingpreacher.org/dear_wp.aspx?article_id=606

[4] Written by Steve Garnaas-Homes

Train to General Convention

Every three years the Episcopal Church gathers Bishops and elected Deputies from each diocese to discuss canons of the Church and vote on important policies and practices of the Church at General Convention. While only elected deputies and Bishops are allowed to vote,there are many aspects of General Convention that are open to everyone. There are also many other events that happen alongside of General Convention since there is already a large gathering of Episcopalians. I am attending the Young Adult Festival at General Convention for the second time. Participating in this festival allows young adults to network with one another, attend programming that is specially designed for our stage in life, and participate in many aspects of General Convention. This year's General Convention is in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have never been here before so I am very excited to get to see this city. Being in Indy has also allowed me to visit my friend Andy who is the Curate at the cathedral here.

The Young Adult Festival doesn't start until later this evening, but this trip has already been an adventure. I do not like to fly so I took the train to Indy, which is an epically long ride.

 

The first leg of the journey was a drive with Gini and Emily to Flagstaff which is about 3.5 hours from home.

 

Gini dropped me at the train station at 4am PST. The sun was rising as I got settled in my seat on the train.

 

After sleeping for a while I took this picture of the desert (somewhere in Arizona or New Mexico).

 

A few hours later I took this picture of rain clouds in Raton New Mexico just before entering a tunnel. When the train came out on the other side of the tunnel I was in Colorado.

 

I was very fortunate to not have anyone sitting next to me during the night, so I was able to get a pretty good night's rest. When I woke up the train had arrived in Kansas City, Missouri.

Many hours and time zones later I arrived at Chicago Union Station. I was so tired and hungry by the time that I got there that I forgot to take a picture. Oops! 36 hours after my journey began, I boarded my last train from Chicago to Indianapolis.

 

Just before the sun went down I saw this friendly water tower.Finally at 11:30pm EST I arrived in Indianapolis, a total of 43.5 hours after leaving Flagstaff. It was a crazy long trip, but I really enjoyed it. That's all for now, I'll post again after the festival starts.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Proper 6 Year B

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, Psalm 20, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, Mark 4:26-34

I love to garden. 

I don’t currently have a garden, but I have had many in the past.  Especially when I was younger, my family and I would maintain small gardens full of items that could be added to our daily meals. 

The part I enjoyed the most was when the seeds would burst through the ground as they sprouted into whatever vegetables they were.  In this anticipation, I would wait and wonder about what was happening under the ground. 

Were the seeds getting enough water?  Were they growing?  When would they sprout?  No matter how many questions I asked, the answers were always the same… we needed to wait and watch until the seeds popped their heads out of the ground.

“and the plant would sprout and grow, he does not know how.”[1]

In this day and age it may feel strange to consider this line from our gospel today about not knowing how something grows.  Through scientific discovery we have been able to explain exactly how seeds germinate and how humans and other animals grow. 

With that being said, the people that Jesus was speaking to did not know the same things about science that we do today.  Back then life was very different. Faith and beliefs ruled one’s life rather than science and facts. This differentiation is important for us to understand since it impacts how we hear this gospel story.

The person who plants in this story is not concerned with how the seeds grow; in fact he doesn’t even take care of the seeds after they are planted.  Yet he is ready to harvest once the grain is ready.  It is in being ready for the harvest that we can see an example of what the kingdom of God is like.  Just like a seed that has been planted in the ground, the kingdom of God may be hidden from those unaware of its presence until it is revealed in the fullness of the harvest.[2]

Later in the gospel we heard about the mustard seed, and about how when it grows it becomes a large shrub.  From a tiny seed, the kingdom of God grows generously and abundantly until it is large enough to provide a home for the birds of the air. 

At first glance it seems as though Jesus is using the size of this large shrub to be an example of the kingdom, but perhaps it is the nests and various shelters that the birds and other animals are able to make because of this shrub, that represents the kingdom.

This is an image of expansive gentleness.  The kingdom of God is described not in grandiose terms but in terms of ordinary, quiet beauty, an inviting place to call home.

The purpose of our gospel reading today is not to teach us about seeds or planting.  The purpose of our gospel reading is to teach us about the kingdom of God. Jesus talks about the kingdom of God in parables because there is no one way to describe the kingdom of God that would fully capture the kingdom is like.

In these parables the kingdom is the very thing sown, not the result of the sowing[3].  The kingdom of God continues to be sown in each of us everyday.  Through the study of scripture, being kind to a stranger, lending a hand to friend in need, or sharing a meal together.

As I waited what felt like long days for the seeds to sprout I would sometimes get frustrated.  I would get frustrated because I would doubt that I had planted the seeds properly or because I would worry that the seeds were not getting enough water.  When I would get frustrated my dad would remind me that just because I couldn’t see what was happening under the ground, didn’t mean that nothing was happening.

Today’s gospel emphasizes the hiddenness and smallness of the quiet beginnings of the kingdom and also underscores the sense in which the person planting does not make the kingdom happen by force of will.  The person planting just plants and then sleeps and rises night and day, and the earth produces of itself, and the mustard plant puts forth its large branches. The kingdom grows organically. And inevitably, as day follows night, God's hidden, mysterious work in the world, and in us, will be fruitful.

Amen.

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[1] Mark 4:27

[2] http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?lect_date=6/17/2012

[3] Capon, Kingdom, Grace, Judgment, 98